In the last academic year (2023/24), just 593,000 students attended a Private school in the UK, accounting for 6.5% of pupils nationwide. However, if government figures from the 2019 Social Mobility Commission are carried forward, this 6.5% of privately educated students will one day account for 39% of those in top positions. The link between private education and leading professional figures has been well-documented, and for those who can afford it, is a tempting choice. However, choosing the right secondary school for your child within the fee-paying system can be a complex task. The distinctions between State, Private, Independent, and Public schools can be confusing in the United Kingdom, as while these terms may sometimes be semantically interchangeable, they hold unique meanings in the context of British secondary education.
The first and most overt difference between private and public schools within the UK education system is funding. Although there are various types of State schools, they are all paid for and organised by the government and local authorities. As such, they follow a national curriculum, and all children aged 5-16 are entitled to a place in one. There are various types of State schools, which can add to the confusion.
Sometimes known as Local Authority Maintained Schools or Comprehensives, these schools follow the national curriculum. Eligibility for entrance is determined by proximity, also known as a catchment area.
Also funded by local authorities, these schools have more freedom to modify their teaching style based on regional needs — religious schools are a common example.
Run by non-profit academy trusts, these schools are independent of local authority control but are still classified as State schools because they are neither fee-charging nor selective. These schools benefit from more freedom over their curriculum than Community schools, and their performance and standards are the responsibility of the board of trustees.
Grammar schools are run by either the local authority, a foundation, or an academy trust. They are selective based on academic ability and give places to children who score highest in the 11+, an entrance exam that assesses ability in maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning.
Catering to special educational needs (SEN) students, these schools offer learning support in one of four areas:
For more information on the specifics of the State school system, please click here.
The State school system has many benefits, such as higher levels of social and cultural diversity and less financial pressure for parents. However, State schools are also renowned for larger class sizes and a lack of individualised learning support.
Private schools, as an alternative to State education, can offer many benefits to students. Although they are government-registered and inspected regularly by Ofsted and the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) to maintain educational standards, Private schools do not have to adhere to a national curriculum and are free to choose how and when their students are educated. They can also select their students by their own criteria. Resultingly, they operate without state funding and support themselves through tuition fees, donations and endowments. It is for this reason that the terms ‘Private’ and ‘Independent’ schools are used interchangeably.
Unlike in the State school system, the options for parents who choose fee-paying schools do not have strict definitions, but are instead differentiated by their facilities, extracurriculars and academic outcomes. There are however certain crucial terms that it is helpful to break down to understand the difference between private and public schools.
Often referred to interchangeably as Private schools, Independent schools are free to set their own curriculum, financed by tuition fees and thus do not recieve governmental or local authority funding. All fee-paying schools are Independent schools. For a comprehensive list of modern Independent schools, please click here.
Catering to children aged 8 to either 11 or 13 and sometimes preceded by a Pre-Preparatory (Pre-Prep) school for younger children, these schools prepare students for private secondary education, concluding with the Common Entrance Exam (taken at age 13).
Senior schools offer entry at either 11 or 13 and provide several years of general studies prior to preparatory courses for GCSEs and A Levels.
Schools that do not offer facilities for residential students and instead expect that children will return home at the end of the school day. This term can apply to both primary and secondary schools.
Schools that offer either part (flexi) or full term-time facilities for residential students, allowing children to live within their learning environment during the term. This term can apply to both primary and secondary schools.
Not to be confused with State education, British Public Schools are a small subset of the oldest and most prestigious Independent schools in the country.
The term ‘Public School’ as used in the UK is sometimes considered outdated, and would struggle to evade allegations of elitism. Originally meant to define a point of contrast between organised schooling conducted publicly, outside of the home, and private teaching by a hired tutor, the term remains attached to some of the most historic and reputable institutions in the country.
Although the term is now often broadly ascribed to various top-tier schools and colleges, its usage was originally formalised to encompass nine institutions as part of the 1868 Public Schools Act, codified from the Clarendon Report:
These institutions, some founded as early as the fifteenth century, are collectively known as the Clarendon Schools or sometimes the ‘Great Schools’. They are distinguished by their historic prestige, selective nature, traditional boarding culture, and influential alumni networks, or ‘Old Boy’s Clubs’. The difference between private and public schools is often harder to distinguish in the modern school system, as many more schools now also define themselves as ‘public’ schools.
Influential historical figures like Henry VI (Eton, 1440), Edward VI (Shrewsbury, 1552), and John Colet (St. Paul's, 1509) established Public schools, making them some of the oldest continuously functioning institutions in the country. As such, these schools have a rich legacy of deep-rooted traditions and historical significance, as well as a reputation for educating members of the British elite, including royalty and aristocracy.
Although more modern Independent schools may also have long histories and traditions, they generally lack the same level of national and international prestige, and their traditions might be less formalized.
The historic legacy of Public schools has also left a mark on their curricula. Classical education in Latin and ancient Greek is commonplace, and there is also an instilled fondness for organised field games such as Rugby and Cricket. In other respects, Public school curriculums focus on providing a traditional and rigorous academic schedule that prepares students for excellent higher education prospects and leadership roles, valuing the development of intellectual and social skills.
Other independent schools may offer more flexible or varied curricula or specialise in areas like sports or the performing arts.
Public schools and other Independent schools are both privately funded by tuition fees and endowments, but due to the prestige and historic importance of the former, Public schools often muster even higher price tags to maintain their excellent facilities and academic standards. This results in small class sizes and a wealth of extracurricular activities.
Other independent schools vary widely in their fee structures depending on resource availability and specialisations.
